India_Scheme_secondary_education.pdf (Size: 396.84 KB / Downloads: 35)
A SCHEME FOR UNIVERSALISATION OF ACCESS TO AND IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY AT THE SECONDARY AND HIGHER SECONDARY STAGE
INTRODUCTION
1.1.1. Secondary Education is a crucial stage in the educational hierarchy as it prepares the students for higher education and also for the world of work. Classes IX and X constitute the secondary stage, whereas classes XI and XII are designatedas the higher secondary stage. The normal age group of the children in secondary classes is 14-16 whereas it is 16-18 for higher secondary classes. The rigor of the secondary and higher secondary stage, enables Indian students to compete successfully for education and for jobs globally. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to strengthen this stage by providing greater access and also by improving quality in
a significant way.
1.1.2. The population of the age group 14-18 was 8.55 crore in 2001 as per census data. The estimated population of this age group as on 1.3.2005 was 9.48 crore,which is likely to increase to 9.69 crore as on 1.3.2007 i.e., at the beginning of the11th Five Year Plan. This is likely to stabilize at around 9.70 crore in 2011. TheGross Enrolment Ratio for classes IX-XII in 2005-06 was 40.49%. The figure forclasses IX and X was 52.26 % whereas that for classes XI and XII was 28.54%.
1.1.3. With the liberalization and globalization of the Indian economy, the rapidchanges witnessed in scientific and technological world and the general need toimprove the quality of life and to reduce poverty, it is essential that school leaversacquire a higher level of knowledge and skills than what they are provided in the 8years of elementary education, particularly when the average earning of a secondaryschool certificate holder is significantly higher than that of a person who has studiedonly up to class VIII. It is also necessary that besides general education up tosecondary level, opportunities for improvement of vocational knowledge and skill
should be provided at the higher secondary level to enable some students to beemployable.
1.1.4. Since universalisation of elementary education has become a Constitutionalmandate, it is absolutely essential to push this vision forward to move towardsUniversalisation of secondary education, which has already been achieved in a largeumber of developed countries and several developing countries. Paras 5.13 – 5.15of the National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 (as modified in 1992) deal withSecondary Education. Para 5.13 of the NPE, inter- alia, stated that “Access toSecondary Education will be widened with emphasis on enrolment of girls, SCs andSTs, particularly in science, commerce and vocational streams…….Vocationalization through specialized institutions or through the re-fashioning ofsecondary education will, at this stage, provide valuable manpower for economic
growth”.
1.1.5. Hon’ble Prime Minister in his Independence Day Speech, 2007 has inter-aliastated that,“We are setting out a goal of universalizing secondary education. This is clearly thenest step after universalizing elementary education. While the goal is laudable muchwork needs to be done before we are in a position to launch the Scheme forUniversalisation of Access for Secondary Education (SUCCESS). Its details need tobe quickly spelt out and discussed with States so that we are fully ready to launch it
from 2008-09. We must not underestimate the complexity of this task as theprinciples for universalizing elementary education cannot be easily transferred tosecondary education. The physical, financial, pedagogical and human resourceneeds are quite different. We also need to recognize the role currently being playedby the private sector and policy design must factor this in. Detailed strategies andplans would need to be worked out rapidly for each state. Special attention wouldneed to be paid to Districts with SC/ST/OBC/Minority concentration. Therecommendations of the Sachar Committee need to be seriously considered whileplanning for this programme”.
1.1.6. The Tenth Plan Mid-Term Appraisal (MTA) document of the Planning
Commission has also, inter alia, recommended as follows:
“In order to plan for a major expansion of secondary education in the eventof achievement of full or near full retention under SSA, setting up of a new Missionfor Secondary Education, on the lines of SSA, should be considered.”
1.1.7. Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) is the highest deliberative andadvisory forum on Education in the country with Education Ministers of all Statesand eminent educationists as its Members. It was re-constituted and activated inmid-2004 after a gap of several years. After deliberations in the first meeting of there-constituted CABE, held in August, 2005, seven Committees of CABE wereconstituted in September, 2005, two of which were particularly relevant forSecondary Education.
1.1.8. Besides the Committee on Universalisation of Secondary Education, CABEhad also, at the same time, set up another Committee on “Girls’ Education &Common School System” under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Assam.Report of this Committee was also presented in June, 2005. The Committee hasrecommended, inter alia, that:
_ “….. making good quality education available to all students in all schools
at affordable fees is a primary commitment of the Common School
System”,_ State should invest in public schools system with standards, norms,building, etc., with the same standards as that of Kendriya Vidyalayas.
1.1.9. Reports of both the above CABE Committees were discussed and generallyendorsed in the meeting of CABE held on July 14-15, 2005.
1.1.10. It is well recognized that eight years of education are insufficient to equip achild for the world of work as also to be a competent adult and citizen. The pressureon Secondary Education is already being felt due to the success of Sarva ShikshaAbhiyan. Therefore, while secondary education is not constitutionally compulsoryit is necessary and desirable that access to secondary education is universalizedleading to enhanced participation, and its quality is improved for all. At the same
time, it may not be possible to fully universalize education at the secondary stageduring the Eleventh Five Year Plan as the drop out rates are as high as 28.49% fromclasses I-V and 50.39% from classes I-VIII. However, with rising expectation fromimproved access to secondary education, retention in classes I-VIII will further
improve.1.2. STATUS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION:
1.2.1. The following statistics give an overview of the present status of Secondaryand Higher Secondary Education in the country (as on 30.9.2005),

1.1.4. Since universalisation of elementary education has become a Constitutionalmandate, it is absolutely essential to push this vision forward to move towardsUniversalisation of secondary education, which has already been achieved in a largeumber of developed countries and several developing countries. Paras 5.13 – 5.15of the National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 (as modified in 1992) deal withSecondary Education. Para 5.13 of the NPE, inter- alia, stated that “Access toSecondary Education will be widened with emphasis on enrolment of girls, SCs andSTs, particularly in science, commerce and vocational streams…….Vocationalization through specialized institutions or through the re-fashioning ofsecondary education will, at this stage, provide valuable manpower for economic